Perhaps you are wondering why I continue to write about some of the proverbs. Most of these blog post come out of my morning devotions. I am working verse by verse though the book of proverbs. I make comments and observations in a notebook. Each week I select one proverb to write about in a deeper fashion. It is good for me to carefully consider the proverb and make deeper application for I am not able to do so in the time I have in morning. I also pray that what I am taught by God would benefit you as well. This is the purpose of this blog. I don't aim to be conterversial. I don't care for superficial subjects. This is not a blog of jokes and humor. We hope to proclaim the truth and call for holy living to the glory of God. We want you to know Him as we desire to know Him. My wife has been too tired to blog lately, so that's why most of the blogs are mine. That being said, let us look at another proverb.
"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body."
Proverbs 18:8
Imagine for a moment, you are at a friend's house. You are sitting together in the living room talking. Then someone comes around with a plate of delicious brownies or cookies. The plate come to you and you are asked if you want one. They look so good, how can you say no. Gossip is like that. We have a hard time resisting listening to gossip. Gossip is to the ears and the sinful heart what brownies are to the taste buds. Gossip appeals to our self righteous nature. When we hear what so and so did, we feel like we aren't so bad. Gossip brings pride and a smugness. Gossip can make us feel special. We may be the select few that know this about this person. We are part of the club. Gossip can inflate our ego.
When is telling a certain fact about someone gossip? There seems to be a fine line when it comes to gossip. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and can trick us into thinking we are relating this for some noble purpose. We may share the "news" under the false disguise of making it a matter of prayer. Also gossip doesn't have to false to be gossip. The events may be true or half true. A helpful way to keep ourselves from telling gossip or listening to gossip is to ask ourselves a few questions before we speak. Is this for the good of the person who is spoken of? Is this said in love? Do we truly care for the spiritual welfare of the person? We need to consider these questions before we speak or hear gossip, for gossip can do much damage.
The last part of this proverb speaks of how gossip can affect us and others. Gossip, like that yummy brownie, goes down inside us. It has an effect on us. The gossip we hear of a person will affect how we think, act, and talk about a particular person. Gossip will shape and mold how we view other people. We may desire to unhear the story, but it is impossible but for God's power and grace. Gossip can separate close friends. (Proverbs 16:28.) Gossip brings quarrels and fighting. (Proverbs 26:20.) Avoid gossip like a deadly plague!
Lastly, let us confess our sins of gossip before the Lord knowing that He will cleanse us from all sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Also, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
When is telling a certain fact about someone gossip? There seems to be a fine line when it comes to gossip. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and can trick us into thinking we are relating this for some noble purpose. We may share the "news" under the false disguise of making it a matter of prayer. Also gossip doesn't have to false to be gossip. The events may be true or half true. A helpful way to keep ourselves from telling gossip or listening to gossip is to ask ourselves a few questions before we speak. Is this for the good of the person who is spoken of? Is this said in love? Do we truly care for the spiritual welfare of the person? We need to consider these questions before we speak or hear gossip, for gossip can do much damage.
The last part of this proverb speaks of how gossip can affect us and others. Gossip, like that yummy brownie, goes down inside us. It has an effect on us. The gossip we hear of a person will affect how we think, act, and talk about a particular person. Gossip will shape and mold how we view other people. We may desire to unhear the story, but it is impossible but for God's power and grace. Gossip can separate close friends. (Proverbs 16:28.) Gossip brings quarrels and fighting. (Proverbs 26:20.) Avoid gossip like a deadly plague!
Lastly, let us confess our sins of gossip before the Lord knowing that He will cleanse us from all sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Also, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
-Brad-
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